This was exactly what the toad was waiting for though and as its tongue shot out again it missed the dragon completely but snagged the now exposed golden egg, one second it was on the nest and the next the toad had it in its mouth. Its tongue shot out one final time to deposit the egg straight into Harry's hand just before the enraged dragon pounced on the giant conjured amphibian.
The poor dragon received another shock though when, with the noise of a fifteen-foot Whoopee cushion being sat on by a dragon the toad rapidly shrank in size until it was whizzing through the air. As it reached the correct dimensions it became a real toad, still wearing a fluffy pink cardigan and landed on the lap of one Dolores Jane Umbridge. Harry casually left the arena to thunderous applause mixed in with deep belly laughs, he noticed Joan and Ginny leaving their seats and Millicent with Ron following them.
The judges were forced to give him full marks though the next contestant, Barnabas Bole wasn't so fortunate. His Chinese Fireball just stared at the Hogwarts champion and he wet himself before fainting in a crumpled heap, he had to be levitated out the arena and out the competition. It was kind of fitting that Dumbledore's champion didn't even manage to fire off a spell before ending up lying unconscious in a puddle of his own piss.
As they were preparing Hermione's dragon Harry was suddenly very worried, if Joan had been heading down to meet him she should have been here by now. He left to search for his daughter but what he found made his blood turn to ice, someone was going to die for this.
.....
Bella's nerves were stretched tighter than a dragon's heartstring, she had been hiding below the stadium for two days now, laying low as the aurors guarded the entrances and contestant tent without once searching the arena before the event.
She'd watched the whole by-play with the half giant, couldn't these people at least have some respectable friends? As they trooped off into their seats Bella took up station between the stands that was also an auror blind spot and tried to remain calm, she had no potions left and was beginning to feel the effects of them leaving her body but steeled herself with the knowledge that it would all be over soon. One way or the other her life would change forever in the next few hours, she was in position and it was now down to fate whether she was going to be given an opportunity to participate in events or just hide here until everyone went home then try to get out the country.
Bella didn't know if she should be cheering or cursing as the four walked right into her ambush zone, she was pretty sure that the tall girl was the one who hit her in the graveyard but that was more to do with recognising the cowardly weasel by her side. She didn't recognise the other little red head but Potter's adopted daughter was just too good a target to pass up, fate had made her decision and now Bella only had seconds to act.
She burst from concealment and fired off two cutting curses at the girls before summoning three wands, grabbing the child as she spoke to the small redhead who was on the ground before kicking her in the stomach.
"Tell Potter to destroy the cup or he'll get his daughter back in tiny pieces."
The curse had hit Ginny square on the chest but her life had been saved by the dragon hide vest that Harry had bought her though the force had knocked the petite witch onto her back. Her wand was gone but Remus had been training her for just such a scenario, the knife in her wrist holder slipped into her waiting hand. Ginny's vest also absorbed most of the impact from Bella's kick to her stomach but Ginny jack-knifed as if in great pain and used this movement to plunge her blade deep into the bitch's thigh.
"Get your filthy hands off her you bastard!" Ginny screamed at the death eater but Lestrange toppled backwards and pulled Joan down with her before she must have activated a portkey as they both disappeared.
Ginny was on her knees wailing "NO!" as Harry came upon the scene, he rushed to Ginny who was covered in blood and it took her a second to answer him. "It's not mine or Joan's, I managed to stab that bitch Lestrange but she got away with Joan. I'm so sorry Harry, I let you down."
Any thoughts on continuing that conversation were ended when they glanced over at the other couple.
Millie had seen the curse heading straight for her but had been frozen in place, suddenly she was moving and something heavy landed on top of her, something heavy and wet.
She looked to see her betrothed who must have pushed her out the path of the curse but this had placed him directly in the line of fire, he was cut from shoulder to hip and bleeding profusely.
Millie cradled Ron's head in her arms and looked pleadingly towards Harry.
One glance told Harry Ron didn't have long to live though Millicent's words seemed to pull him out his stupor, "He gave his life to save mine."
Harry's temper was barely under control, "Not today he didn't, Dobby!"
The little elf appeared and immediately took charge, he started emptying his many pockets and resizing objects, soon there was a hospital bed, instruments and a table with potions of every kind on it. He handed a blood-replenishing potion to Millicent, "Make him drink this and when he's finished we'll give him more."
Harry asked his little friend where he got all the stuff; it was with a wry smile that Dobby answered him. "When Harry Potter is your friend it's best to be prepared for anything, Winky will be bringing Poppy in a moment."
Harry and Hermione had been in constant communication and the witch just couldn't wait any longer, she burst out the tent and into the arena as the dragon handlers were getting ready to leave.
A brilliant bolt of red light blasted from each of her outstretched hands and both hit the dragon between its eyes; the massive creature was knocked out instantly as Hermione raced for the golden egg. She threw it towards Charlie before casting a sonorus on herself, "Team two, let's go now. Poppy you're needed…" Winky was here already popping the healer to the scene, "Amelia that bitch Lestrange has just kidnapped Joan, do not let the competition stop as that's exactly what the bastards want, we'll deal with it!"